The Problem of the Jews in Spain

There were still around t thousand jews in spain, so much shrunken from what it used to be under moslem rule. Ferdinand and isabella generally expected that the remaining jews would simply convert and accept christianity. But in fact, only around half or so did so. The other half chose to remain loyal to judaism and left spain. And of those who remained and converted, many actually remained secretly loyal to Judaism. So this same situation and same set of dilemmas that ferdinand and isabella were facing in 14 92 also made columbus's proposal appealing to them.